Mica Galvao is one of the top young BJJ competitors on the planet, but he’s now been stripped of his first IBJJF world championship gold medal and suspended from IBJJF competition for one year after failing a PEDs test. The news has shocked many fans, owing to the fact that Galvao is one of the brightest stars in the sport and is still only 19 years old. He actually made history as the youngest world champion in the organization’s history at the 2022 edition of the IBJJF world championships, although that record will no longer stand as a result of this.
USADA announced the news of their decision to suspend Mica Galvao and strip him of his title as a result of the failed PEDs test in a recent press-release:
“Galvão, 19, tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolite 4-hydroxyclomiphene as the result of an in-competition drug test conducted at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Jiu-Jitsu Championships on June 5, 2022. Although the IBJJF is not a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), USADA was contracted by IBJJF to conduct testing for the event and collected and analyzed Galvão’s sample in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s International Standards.”
Mica Galvao has now become the latest top BJJ competitor to fail a PEDs test and be stripped of a title, with five athletes receiving three-year suspension after the IBJJF no gi world championship last year. Galvao’s test-failure has actually been hinted at for quite some time, most notably by Craig Jones. Jones commented on the initial five suspensions being handed out and said that ‘a very famous young gi athlete’ had also failed but was going through the arbitration process. That arbitration process appears to have gone reasonably well, because Galvao’s suspension is only for one year instead. USADA explained the reasoning behind this decision too:
“After a thorough review of the case, including the examination of medical records provided by the athlete, USADA determined that Galvão’s positive test was caused by a medication prescribed in a therapeutic dose under the care of a physician. Although the substance was taken at the direction of a physician, the Code requires that athletes obtain a TUE before using a prohibited substance, which Galvão failed to do.”
“Galvão’s one-year period of ineligibility began on July 22, 2022, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Galvão has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved in competitions sanctioned by the IBJJF, or any Code signatory, on and subsequent to June 5, 2022, the date his positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes. IBJJF has agreed to impose the sanction.”
With the date of his suspension revealed, it is now confirmed that Galvao will also be absent from the IBJJF world championship in 2023 as it takes place before he has finished serving the suspension. As with any athletes banned from IBJJF competition, this has no effect on any other tournaments or matches that take place outside of the IBJJF. That means that fans will still get to see Galvao in competition, and below is his statement on the news (translated from the original Portuguese):
“Y’all already know the news and I want to explain my side now. My doctor used a banned substance in my treatment. My father and I have always tried to get closer to the best professionals to help my career and unfortunately that mistake happened and I assume. This is for my fans, the people who have admired my work and my career since new. My sincere apologies, I’m also pissed about this situation. I am starting from scratch again, it never been easy for me and it never will be. I come from Manaus where opportunities are few Fought the hard way to get where im at. I don’t mind walking all the way to the top again, my journey doesn’t end here, it’s only just begun. You will see me a lot of times on tatame in 2023. My next commitment is BJJ Stars next April 22nd Absolute GP. I’m counting on your support. To purchase PPV at a discount, use my coupon MICABJJ”
The original statement in Portuguese made by Mica Galvao on his suspension from IBJJF competition and being stripped of his title was posted to his official Instagram account:
